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The Battle of Topáter was fought on March 23, 1879 between Chile and Bolivia, and was the first of the War of the Pacific.
[edit] The Battle
The Chileans were taking possession of the Antofagasta (Litoral) province, at that time a part of Bolivia. The Bolivian troops, quite scarce, decided to make a stand in the town of Calama. On their way to occupy Calama, 554 Chilean troops, cavalry and 2 Krupp rifled-gun were opposed by 135 Bolivian soldiers and civilian residents led by Dr. Ladislao Cabrera, a civilian and political authority of the region.
The Bolivians presented battle next to the Topater river, which runs outside the city. Cabrera dug in at two destroyed bridges; calls to surrender were rejected before and during the battle. Outnumbered and low of ammunition, most of the Bolivian force eventually withdrew, except for a small group of civilians led by Colonel Eduardo Abaroa, that fought to the end.
The Bolivian national hero, Coronel Abaroa, died in this battle. Further ground battles would not take place until the war at sea was resolved.
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